American star John Cena has drawn the curtain on his legendary career, losing his final wrestling match to Gunther at the Saturday Night’s Main Event show in the early hours of Sunday.
John Cena concluded his year-long farewell tour by facing Gunther, after having historic matches against Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, Logan Paul, R-Truth, and Dominik Mysterio.
The match began with a traditional lock-up amidst cheers from the crowd. Gunther provoked the audience by stepping out to protest the referee’s call, which ignited boos against him.
Gunther imposed his violent style, delivering harsh blows to Cena, while the crowd expressed their anger at his tactics.
Cena gradually fought back, executing a series of his famous moves and nearly ending the match on more than one occasion. However, Gunther escaped each attempt before the drama escalated with back-and-forth control and near falls.
John Cena officially announced his retirement after placing his armbands and shoes in the ring, receiving a major salute from the crowd, before leaving the ring for his locker room, visibly emotional.
It has been confirmed that Cena will continue in his role as an ambassador for the company, with his official merchandise remaining in stores, ensuring he remains a part of the wrestling world outside the ring.
John Cena’s career began in 2000 before he joined the WWE and made his professional debut in 2002, transforming into one of the most famous legends of the game over 23 years. He received farewells from stars and officials amidst applause from the crowd, with the 48-year-old wrestler visibly moved.
In his final message to the fans, John Cena added that it had been his pleasure to serve them all these years and thanked them for their continued support.
John Cena is known for his significant contributions to boosting the global popularity of professional wrestling. He achieved multiple titles as a world champion and became a cultural symbol in media and entertainment, with his participation in films and television programs, making him an icon for over two decades.
John Cena
John Cena is a professional wrestler, actor, and philanthropist who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a central figure in WWE. He is known for his “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona and later as a heroic “Super Cena” character, holding a record-tying 16 world championship reigns during his wrestling career.
Gunther
Gunther is a fictional character, not a physical place or cultural site, most famously appearing in Germanic legends such as the *Nibelungenlied*. In the epic, he is the King of Burgundy who plays a central role in the story of Siegfried and Brunhild.
Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes is not a place or cultural site, but a professional wrestler and executive in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is the son of the late wrestling legend “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and has been a prominent figure in the industry since the mid-2000s, known for helping found AEW in 2019.
CM Punk
CM Punk is the ring name of professional wrestler Phil Brooks, who gained prominence in WWE before becoming a major figure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The name is culturally significant as a symbol of anti-establishment sentiment and “straight edge” hardcore punk ethos within the wrestling industry.
Randy Orton
Randy Orton is a professional wrestler, not a physical place or cultural site. He is best known for his long career in WWE, where he debuted in 2002 and became one of the company’s most decorated champions, famous for his “RKO” finishing move and his “Legend Killer” persona.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is a professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, primarily known for his career in WWE and the UFC. He gained fame in the early 2000s in WWE as “The Next Big Thing” and later became the UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2008.
AJ Styles
AJ Styles is a professional wrestling ring name for Allen Jones, an American wrestler best known for his time in WWE and his foundational role in TNA/Impact Wrestling. He gained prominence in the early 2000s as a high-flying, technically gifted performer, helping to establish TNA as a major promotion and later becoming a multi-time world champion in WWE. His in-ring style and longevity have made him one of the most respected and influential wrestlers of his generation.
Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn is a Canadian professional wrestler of Syrian descent, currently performing for WWE. He is known for his high-flying in-ring style and his character’s journey, which has often incorporated themes of his heritage and overcoming adversity.
Logan Paul
Logan Paul is a popular American YouTuber, social media personality, and actor, not a physical place or cultural site. He rose to fame through the now-defunct video platform Vine before building a massive following on YouTube for his vlogs and comedic content. His career has been marked by significant controversy, most notably for a 2017 video filmed in Japan’s Aokigahara forest, which sparked widespread criticism for its disrespectful portrayal of the location associated with suicide.
R-Truth
R-Truth is the ring name of American professional wrestler Ronnie Aaron Killings, best known for his tenure in WWE. He is a multi-time champion celebrated for his comedic persona and lengthy 24/7 Championship reign, with his career beginning in the late 1990s across various promotions before achieving mainstream success.
Dominik Mysterio
Dominik Mysterio is a professional wrestler in WWE, known for being the son of legendary luchador Rey Mysterio. He made his in-ring debut in 2020 and has since become a notable figure, often involved in storylines that highlight his family legacy and his own rebellious character development.
WWE
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is an American professional wrestling and sports entertainment company founded in 1952 by Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt. It evolved from regional promotions into a global media powerhouse, popularizing scripted, character-driven athletic entertainment through televised events like WrestleMania.
